Poetry on Cultural Identity | Poems on Cultural Heritage, Hybridity, & Identity
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
This 45-page EDITABLE unit focuses on poems about cultural identity! The unit on promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor.
The thirteen poems are divided into two reading packets, with the first packet focusing cultural roots and affirming ancestors, and the second packet focusing on cultural hybridity. Each reading packet is followed by a classwork packet that contains a quiz on literary devices, discussion questions for some of the poems, quick writes, and a creative writing assignment. Finally, a third packet features an analytical writing assignment, sample student paper, and glossary of literary devices.
Here's a detailed account of what you'll find in this 45-page curriculum:
• Homework Packets with Poems: The two homework packets contain a total of 13 love poems by award-winning poets such as Elizabeth Acevedo, Maya Angelou, Sandra Cisneros, Lisa Parker, Nate Marshall, Clint Smith, and others. (15 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, sound devices, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether students can accurately identify the literary devices found in poems from the packet: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages).
• Discussion Questions: This unit features a list of discussion questions for three poems featured in the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that each class discussion is focused and productive. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (15 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (3 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
This entire 45-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!
My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
Links to all of the poetry units in this collection:
Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry
Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry
Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems
Poetry Unit #4: Ethical Dilemmas in Poetry
Poetry Unit #5: Family Dynamics in Poetry
Figurative Language Crossword Puzzle
By Beth Hammett
This individual or group crossword puzzle activity uses 12 terminologies and optional word bank, as well as word bank with definitions handout, that include: Simile The boy ran as fast as the wind. Sentence uses “like” or “as” to make comparisons. Metaphor The construction worker is a prince. An implied comparison between two unlike beings or objects. Alliteration Casey cackled confidently. The repetition of a single letter at the beginnings of words. Internal (Rhyme) Type of rhyme: The groom was soon doomed. Rhyme occurs inside the words of a sentence. Onomatopoeia Ring, ring…went the telephone. Sound words. Hyperbole I was so hungry I could eat an elephant. An exaggerated statement that has no literal meaning. Adjective The ragged, tattered coat. Vivid words that describe. Personification The flowers danced in the wind. Animals or inanimate objects take on qualities of humans. Synechdoche ABCs for Alphabet. Shortened forms of whole words. Adverb The two boys ran quickly. Tells when, where, or why and may end in –ly. Pun Sea captains don't like crew cuts. Deliberate use of words with multiple meanings that creates play on phrases. Oxymoron Long shorts or silent yell. Opposite words are combined to form phrases. Get students to interact with figurative language. Packet includes answer sheet with definitions. Fun introduction, test prep, or assessment for figurative language!
Poet Series - Rumi - 4 Paragraph reading / 4 Questions Biography
By Quick Assignment Central
This assignment provides an engaging introduction to the life, style, achievements, and legacy of a renowned poet. Written at a 7th-grade level for ESOL students, the content is clear and approachable, making it suitable for a wide range of learners, including those in different grade levels or with varying reading abilities.
The four included questions encourage students to think critically about the poet’s work and impact. Whether for ESOL students or a broader classroom, this assignment helps develop essential reading and comprehension skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for poetry.
Check out my store for more interesting assignments.
AVID Christmas | December Early Finisher Activity Packet-With WICOR Skills
By Teach Savvy Store
This AVID Christmas and December Early Finisher Packet is designed to engage students with no-prep activities that reinforce WICOR skills (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading). Perfect for keeping early finishers productive, it offers Christmas-themed worksheets and fun challenges. Ideal for 5th-12th graders, this packet is a great way to combine learning and seasonal fun!
Valentine's Day "Love Talk" Lesson Plan
By Language Arts Excellence
Any teacher of middle or high school students knows that emotions tend to run wild on Valentine's Day, and instead of fighting it, this lesson will help you to take advantage of the birds and the bees buzzing around in your classroom!
This product features an engaging "Love Talk" activity that will have your students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving on Valentine's Day. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes from famous figures about love and articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective. I am always astounded by the level of maturity of the discussion that arises from this activity as students discuss the different types of love we have for people (and animals, ourselves, and even things) and what loves means to them. This is sure to be a lesson that you will use again and again on February 14th.
Product includes:
Though this product is ideal for use during the week leading up to Valentine's Day, it really can be used all year long.
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Also, check out these great Valentine's Day resources from Language Arts Excellence:
⭐ Valentine's Day ESCAPE ROOM
⭐ Valentine's Day Collaborative Writing Activity
⭐ Valentine's Day Figurative Language Practice
⭐ Valentine's Day Figurative Language in Love Songs PowerPoint
⭐ Valentine's Day Figurative Language in Love Songs Task Cards
⭐ Valentine's Day Love Song Figurative Language BUNDLE
⭐ Sonnet 130 Valentine's Day Lesson Plan
⭐ Sonnet 18 Valentine's Day Lesson Plan
⭐ Valentine's Day Mad Libs
⭐ Shakespeare Valentine's Day Lesson Plan
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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence
Ted Hughes' Hawk Roosting Worksheet + PEEL Essay Prompt & Graphic Organizer
By Online Educator's Corner
Delve into the powerful themes and figurative language of Ted Hughes' poem "Hawk Roosting" with this comprehensive worksheet. Perfect for encouraging critical thinking, this resource guides students through an in-depth analysis of the poem, focusing on its exploration of power, dominance, and the cycle of life and death. It also offers opportunities to study personification, metaphors, and symbolism, helping students enhance their literary analysis skills.
Included in this resource:
Robert Frost's 10 BEST Poems | Discussion Questions, Poetic Devices, & Writing!
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
NEW IN 2021: Rigorous! Thought-provoking! Discussion-Based! This 40-page EDITABLE poetry unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The discussion questions, quizzes on poetic devices, and analytical writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of Robert Frost's poems and generate profound interpretive insights!!
Here are some highlights from this 40-page curriculum:
• 10 Poems by Robert Frost: The 10 poems in this mini-unit feature Robert Frost's BEST works of poetry: "Mending Wall," "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening," "Nothing Gold Can Stay," "The Road Not Taken," "Fire and Ice," and more. The 10 poems are split between two Homework Packets, with each packet featuring 5 poems. (12 pages)
• Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for two poems from each of the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive note. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (16 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (4 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the homework packets: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
This 40-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word doc and PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit your teaching style and/or the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the full unit as a PDF file, which is quick to navigate and easy to print!
Because I believe that teachers should be able to see exactly what they'll be getting before they purchase, the preview for this resource allows viewing accesses to 25 pages. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see exactly what you’ll get. . . .
Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!
Poet Series - 20 Poet Bundle - 4 Paragraph reading / 4 Questions Biography
By Quick Assignment Central
This comprehensive set offers 20 individual assignments, each providing an engaging introduction to the life, style, achievements, and legacy of a renowned poet. Written at a 7th-grade level for ESOL students, the content is clear, approachable, and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of learners across different grade levels or with varying reading abilities.
Each assignment includes four thoughtful questions designed to encourage students to think critically about the poet’s work and lasting impact. Whether used in an ESOL classroom or for general education, these assignments support the development of reading and comprehension skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for poetry. Perfect for building a love of literature in your students!
Robert Frost's Fire and Ice - Poem Analysis & Activities
By Online Educator's Corner
Engage your students in a deep exploration of Robert Frost’s Fire and Ice with this comprehensive resource. This product offers a range of activities designed to encourage critical thinking and meaningful discussions on the themes of desire, hatred, and human self-destruction. It includes:
Perfect for a poetry unit or as a standalone lesson, this resource provides everything you need to explore the deeper meanings and literary craftsmanship of Fire and Ice in a middle or high school classroom.
ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN POETRY: Poems on Behaving Ethically & Morally | 3-Day Lesson
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
This 38-page EDITABLE poetry unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The 10 poems in this mini-unit all focus on different kinds of ethical dilemmas.
Because teenagers are genuinely intrigued by ethical dilemmas, these poems will set the stage for your class to have authentic discussions that inspire a whole new depth of reflection. The literary devices quizzes, discussion prompts, and analytical writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!
Here are some highlights from this 38-page curriculum:
• Homework Packets with Poems about Ethical Dilemmas: The two homework packets contains a total of 10 poems by a diverse range of award-winning poets such as Robert Frost, William Stafford, Ada Limón, Jan Beatty, Ross Gay, and others. Every poem focuses on some kind of ethical dilemma. Because teenagers are genuinely intrigued by ethical dilemmas, these poems will set the stage for your class to have fascinating and profoundly productive discussions!! (10 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the nightly homework packets: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. The digital versions of the quizzes on Google Forms will grade every student's work and generate a list of their scores. Answer keys included. (4 pages).
• Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for the first poem in each of two nightly homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive foot. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (7 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (3 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
This entire 38-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print! Finally, as a free bonus, I'm including links to digital copies of every document in user-friendly platforms like Google Docs and Google Forms.
My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
Links to all of the poetry units in this collection:
Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry
Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry
Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems
Poetry Unit #4: Ethical Dilemmas in Poetry
Poetry Unit #5: Family Dynamics in Poetry
By Online Educator's Corner
This worksheet is designed to engage students in a comprehensive analysis of Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope." It includes various activities and tasks that encourage critical thinking, group discussion, and written response. The worksheet is suitable for middle school and high school students.
Worksheet Contents:
1. Pair/Group Discussion Activity: Students will engage in a discussion about the concept of hope. They will share their personal experiences and perspectives on hope, fostering a deeper understanding of the theme before diving into the poem.
2. Summary of the Poem: A concise summary of Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope" is provided. This summary serves as a foundation for further exploration and analysis.
3. Short-Response Questions about the Summary: Students will answer thought-provoking questions related to the summary of the poem. These questions encourage students to reflect on the main ideas and themes presented in the poem.
4. Themes and Ideas: Students will explore the various themes and ideas conveyed in the poem. They will identify and analyze the underlying messages and emotions expressed by the poet.
5. Literary Devices: This section focuses on the literary devices employed by Emily Dickinson in her poem. Students will identify and analyze the use of metaphors, similes, personification, and other literary techniques, enhancing their understanding of the poem's artistic elements.
6. Follow-up PEEL Paragraph Writing Task: Students will be guided through the process of writing a PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) paragraph about the poem. They will use the provided model PEEL paragraph as a reference and apply their knowledge to construct a well-structured and insightful response.
Additional Features:
- Answer Key: The worksheet includes an answer key for the short-response questions, allowing students to self-assess their understanding and progress.
- Model PEEL Paragraph: A model PEEL paragraph is provided as a reference for students. It demonstrates how to effectively analyze the poem and construct a coherent and well-supported paragraph.
This comprehensive worksheet on Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope" provides students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance their understanding of poetry analysis. It is a valuable resource for English language arts classrooms and can be used for individual or group work.
Gwendolyn Brooks's 10 BEST Poems | Discussion Questions, Writing Assignment, Key
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
NEW IN 2021: Rigorous! Thought-provoking! Discussion-Based! This 35-page EDITABLE mini-unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The discussion questions, quizzes on poetic devices, and analytical writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of Gwendolyn Brooks's poems and generate profound interpretive insights!!
Here are some highlights from this 35-page curriculum:
• 10 Poems by Gwendolyn Brooks: The 10 poems in this mini-unit feature Gwendolyn Brooks's best works of poetry: "The Sonnet-Ballad," "A Song in the Front Yard," "The Boy Died in My Alley," "We Real Cool," and more. The 10 poems are split between two Homework Packets, with each packet featuring 5 poems. (12 pages)
• Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for one poem from each of the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive note. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (7 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the homework packets: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
The entire 35-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word doc and PDF. Because the Word doc is editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit your teaching style and/or the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the entire unit as a PDF file, which is easy to navigate and quick to print!
Because I believe that teachers should be able to see exactly what they'll be getting before they purchase, the preview for this resource allows viewing accesses to 15 pages. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see exactly what you’ll get. . . .
Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!
" A Poison Tree," by William Blake Analysis Questions and Essay Prompt
By Online Educator's Corner
This engaging and thought-provoking resource is designed to help students deepen their understanding of the poem's themes, ideas, and poetic devices. With a range of pre-lesson discussion questions, short-response questions, and a literary analysis prompt, this worksheet is perfect for middle and high school students studying poetry or literature.
Features:
1. Pre-Lesson Discussion Questions: Kickstart your lesson with a set of thought-provoking discussion questions that will encourage students to think critically about the themes and ideas presented in "A Poison Tree". These questions are designed to stimulate classroom discussions and familiarize students with the theme of suppressing anger.
2. Short-Response Questions about Themes and Ideas: Challenge your students to analyze the deeper meaning behind the poem by answering a series of short-response questions. These questions will prompt students to explore themes such as anger, forgiveness, and the consequences of holding grudges.
3. Short-Response Questions about Poetic Devices: Help students develop their understanding of poetic devices by answering a set of short-response questions. These questions will focus on identifying and analyzing poetic devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, and imagery used in "A Poison Tree".
4. Literary Analysis Prompt with Outline and Rubric: Encourage critical thinking and writing skills with a literary analysis prompt that asks students to analyze the poem in depth. An outline and rubric are provided to guide students through the writing process and ensure they meet the necessary criteria for a well-structured and insightful analysis.
5. Answer Keys: Save time and effort with provided answer keys for all the questions. These answer keys will help you assess student understanding and provide valuable feedback.
Benefits:
- Engage students in active learning and critical thinking.
- Develop students' analytical and writing skills.
- Encourage classroom discussions and collaboration.
- Provide a comprehensive resource for teaching "A Poison Tree".
- Save time with ready-to-use answer keys.
Target Audience:
This worksheet is suitable for middle and high school students studying poetry or literature. It can be used in both traditional classroom settings and homeschooling environments.
Elizabeth Bishop's 10 BEST Poems | "The Fish," "In the Waiting Room," "One Art"!
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
NEW IN 2021: Rigorous! Thought-provoking! Discussion-Based! This 40-page EDITABLE mini-unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The discussion questions, quizzes on poetic devices, and analytical writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of Elizabeth Bishop's poems and generate profound interpretive insights!!
Here are some highlights from this 40-page curriculum:
• 10 Poems by Elizabeth Bishop: The 10 poems in this mini-unit feature Elizabeth Bishop's best works of poetry: "The Fish," "In the Waiting Room," "One Art," "The Man-Moth," "Sestina," and more. The 10 poems are split between two Homework Packets, with each packet featuring 5 poems. (12 pages)
• Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for one poem from each of the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive note. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (10 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the homework packets: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
This 40-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word doc *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit your teaching style and/or the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the entire unit as a PDF file, which is easy to navigate and quick to print!
Because I believe that teachers should be able to see exactly what they'll be getting before they purchase, the preview for this resource allows viewing accesses to 20 pages. Click on the green “preview” button to see exactly what you’ll get. . . .
Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!
Sonnets: Poem Analysis, Quizzes, Writing | Shakespeare to the Harlem Renaissance
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
This 45-page EDITABLE unit tracks the development of the sonnet from Shakespeare's day through by Harlem Renaissance. How are traditional sonnets written by English poets like Shakespeare and Keats similar to and/or different from modern sonnets written by Harlem Renaissance poets like Claude McKay and Countee Cullen? This unit invites students to compare traditional sonnets focused on love with modern sonnets focused on socioeconomic equality....
The twelve poems are divided into two reading packets, with the first packet focusing on early sonnets about romantic love, and the second packet focusing on modern sonnets about the black experience. Each reading packets is followed by a classwork packet that contains a quiz on literary devices, discussion questions for two poems, and quick writes. Finally, a third packet features a writing assignment, sample student paper, and glossary of literary devices.
Here's a detailed account of what you'll find in this 45-page curriculum:
• Homework Packets with Poems: The two homework packets contain a total of 12 love poems by award-winning poets such as William Shakespeare, Christina Rossetti, John Keats, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others. While the first packet focuses on traditional love poetry, the second packet focuses on modern love poetry. Thus, the two packets will set you up to facilitate fascinating discussions about how the sonnet has been put to different uses over the centuries! (12 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, sound devices, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether students can accurately identify the literary devices found in poems from the packet: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages).
• Discussion Questions: This unit features a list of discussion questions for two poems in each of the two homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that each class discussion is focused and productive. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (16 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (4 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
This entire 45-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!
My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
LOVE POETRY: Discussion Questions, Writing Prompts, Literary Devices | 12 Poems
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!... This 40-page EDITABLE unit focuses on the most beautiful and compelling love poems in the history of love poetry! The unit on promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor.
The twelve poems are divided into two reading packets, with the first packet focusing traditional love poems, and the second packet focusing on modern love poems. Each reading packet is followed by a classwork packet that contains a quiz on literary devices, discussion questions for two poems, and quick writes. Finally, a third packet features a writing assignment, sample student paper, and glossary of literary devices.
Here's a detailed account of what you'll find in this 40-page curriculum:
• Homework Packets with Poems: The two homework packets contain a total of 12 love poems by award-winning poets such as William Shakespeare, Anne Bradstreet, Christina Rossetti, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, E. E. Cummings, and others. While the first packet focuses on traditional love poetry, the second packet focuses on modern love poetry. Thus, the two packets will set you up to facilitate fascinating discussions about how our understanding of love has changed over the centuries! (12 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, sound devices, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether students can accurately identify the literary devices found in poems from the packet: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages).
• Discussion Questions: This unit features a list of discussion questions for two poems in each of the two homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that each class discussion is focused and productive. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (14 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (4 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)
This entire 40-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!
My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
Links to all of the poetry units in this collection:
Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry
Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry
Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems
Poetry Unit #4: Ethical Dilemmas in Poetry
Poetry Unit #5: Family Dynamics in Poetry
HIGH SCHOOL POETRY UNIT | 3 Weeks of Lesson Plans | 60+ Poems in 12 Packets!
By Rigorous Resources for High School English
UPDATED FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR: Finally, a poetry unit designed for high-school English that teenagers genuinely love!! Your students' skills in close reading and literary analysis of poems will skyrocket....
The 3-week unit features 60+ canonical poems written by a diverse spectrum of English-speaking poets. The poems and accompanying lesson plans are organized into 12 thematic packets which can be used in sequence over two weeks. That's over 200 pages worth of editable poetry resources!
This unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The discussion questions, quick writes, literary device quizzes, and analytical writing assignments will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!!
Here are some highlights from this editable 200-page curriculum:
• Homework Packets with Poems (5-6 Poems per Packet): The 12 homework packets contain a total of 71 poems by a diverse range of award-winning poets such as William Shakespeare, John Keats, Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Robert Hayden, Theodore Roethke, Maya Angelou, Audre Lorde, Mary Oliver, Gary Soto, Li-Young Lee, Ada Limón, Elizabeth Acevedo, and others. The poems are collected into ten reading packets that focus on prominent literary devices and themes: 1) poems using sensory imagery, 2) poems using figurative language, 3) love poems, 4) poems on ethical dilemmas, 5) poems on complex parent-child dynamics, and 6) poems on cultural identity. Because teenagers have a lot to say about these themes, the poems will set the stage for your class to have fascinating and profoundly productive discussions!! (75 pages)
• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)
• Literary Devices Quizzes: A total of ten quizzes, each with 10 questions about a wide range of literary devices: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Open each class with a quiz to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the homework packets. Answer keys included. (24 pages).
• Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for the first poem in each of the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive foot. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (60 pages)
• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (24 pages)
• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (15 pages)
This entire resource packet will come to you in two separate formats: Word docs *and* PDFs. Because the Word docs are fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as PDF documents — which are easy to navigate and quick to print!
My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources.
Happy teaching!
Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.
Should you prefer to purchase the poetry units individually, here are links to the five poetry units:
Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry
Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry
Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems
Poetry Unit #4: Poems on Ethical Dilemmas
Poetry Unit #5: Poems on Family Relationships
Poetry Unit #6: Poems on Cultural Identity